This month features a rather unusual volume. At first glance
it appears to be one of those handsome coffee table books full
of colorful photographs - and, in a way, there's a very definite
element of that about it. However, a closer look reveals that
this is a volume with much, much more going for it.

Arden Rothstein and her daughter Anya are both afficionados
of Oaxacan artistry and they've put together a wonderful tribute
in this one book. Arden is the one who tells the stories about
these artists and their work. And Arden and Anya, who is still
in her teens, both shared the photographic responsibilities.

Arden, when she isn't in Oaxaca, is a psychoanalyst and clinical
psychologist in private practice in New York City. According
to the jacket cover she took her family to share some beloved
memories of three summers she herself spent there 40 years ago.
Daughter Anya was immediately intrigued as was her mother when
she was in her teens.
The idea for the book came out of that visit along with their
desire to pay tribute to the many artists they met on their
visit.

Not only are there hundreds of photos of all kinds of artistic
output, from pottery to wood carvings, from basket weaving to
candle making, and lots more but we're given a much closer look
at the actual creators of all this work than you will normally
find in such a book. We're treated to wonderful works featuring
mermaids, clowns, devils, angels, fishes, skeletons, biblical
scenes, animals and birds of all kinds (real and imagined),
and even ladies of the night. These are all used to decorate
masks, bedspreads, candles, baskets, jewelry, furniture, statues,
toys, pottery and clothing and much, much more. It all adds
up to a generous creative feast.

One of the most unusual features is that there are some 87 brief
biographies of each of the artists whose creative efforts are
featured throughout. The bios make for interesting reading because
they form a kind of social document that adds another dimension
to the book. We get glimpses of the lives of these people. They
even contain the odd surprise. There's the occasional university
grad among them and a man who won an award to study basketry
in China.

I particularly liked the Day of the Dead section. It really
makes you realize what a unique and distinctive society thrives
here in Mexico with all of its customs and traditions, all still
very much alive.

Also quite striking as you read these personal
stories is the strength and prevalence of the family ties that
are exhibited throughout. Some 44 families are featured in the
book and it isn't unusual in looking through the photos to see
three generations seated around a table or workbench. There's
an almost religious aspect to this approach to working. As one
of the artists remarks: "A whole family working in clay
is like a plant that eternally flowers."

All of them seemed to have started learning and creating at
a very early age - as young as six years old in many cases,
and the tradition continues today. There's even one woman who
claims she started learning her craft when she was three years
old. The parents all appear to accept that they have an obligation
to teach their offspring the techniques they themselves have
practised all their lives. "We worry that this work carried
out with great effort and love will not be sustained by the
next generation," says one senora whose specialty is dried
flower crafts. It would appear that she needn't worry about
the children not picking up on the family tradition.

For those people who are interested in artistic techniques and
processes there are also many sections on how each artist achieves
his or her results and where the various working materials were
found. All of the book's sections are beautifully organized
and it's easy to locate the individual topics you might be interested
in.

Yet another unusual feature of Mexican Folk Art is
that there's price on every item in the book so, if you like,
you could also call it a kind of high class sales catalog. For
each of the artists there's an address and phone number so,
presumably, you can make purchases. Or, if you visit Oaxaca,
there are maps showing where you can find each of the 44 family
workshops.

It's a few years since my wife and I were in Oaxaca. Our purpose
in going was not to study or purchase art objects. Rather, it
was to attend a Spanish course. And we found it a most enjoyable
month-long stay. It's a lovely area to visit. However, when
we go back you can rest assured we'll be looking in on a few
of these workshops. And I'll make sure I take my copy of Mexican
Folk Art along with me.

I liked the quote of Quirino Santiago Cruz: "Oaxaca is
a place where people like to work to preserve their traditions.
Thanks to artesanías I have a wonderful life."

I think Sr. Cruz is on to something. When I look at some of
the awful things that are going on in the world all I can say
is that I think Planet Earth needs more places like Oaxaca with
its civilized family values and its continuity and traditions,
to say nothing of its abundant creativity. And here's a wonderful
book that pays tribute to all of that.